When you picture a classic American holiday meal, certain dishes immediately come to mind. Undoubtedly, a glistening, buttery dish of sweet potatoes is one of them. More specifically, for those who cherish true comfort food, nothing compares to this authentic Southern Candied Yams recipe. This dish is far more than just a side; it’s a sweet, soulful tradition passed down through generations. Consequently, it brings warmth and nostalgia to any dinner table, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This guide will walk you through creating the most tender, flavorful, and perfectly glazed candied yams you’ve ever tasted. As a result, you’ll have a new family favorite that everyone will request year after year.
What Makes Southern Candied Yams So Special?
Southern candied yams are a cornerstone of soul food cuisine, celebrated for their incredible depth of flavor and comforting texture. Unlike other sweet potato dishes, this recipe focuses on creating a rich, buttery syrup that lovingly coats each slice of sweet potato. First, the potatoes are cooked until perfectly tender, allowing them to soak up all the goodness. Then, a simple yet magical sauce made from butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg is created. This combination results in a dish that is sweet but not cloying, with warm spice notes that complement the natural earthiness of the sweet potatoes. Furthermore, the final glaze is the star of the show; it’s a glistening, caramelized sauce that makes each bite an unforgettable experience. This iconic Southern Candied Yams recipe represents hospitality and tradition in every spoonful.
A Taste of Tradition
For many families, this dish is not just food but a cherished memory. It’s the aroma filling the house on Thanksgiving morning or the sweet sidekick to a savory holiday ham. The process of making these yams is often a shared activity, with recipes and techniques passed from one cook to the next. In addition, the beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. It uses humble, accessible ingredients to create something truly spectacular. Therefore, learning to make this classic dish is like learning a piece of American culinary history.
Print
Southern Candied Yams Recipe: The 7 Ultimate Steps to Sweet Holiday Perfection
A classic Southern holiday side dish featuring sweet potatoes glazed in a buttery brown sugar syrup with warm spices for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (such as Garnet or Jewel), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Wash, peel, and slice the sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch rounds.
2. Place the slices in a large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until just fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully dissolved and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
4. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the sweet potato slices in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Pour the syrup evenly over the potatoes, making sure each slice is coated.
6. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, basting with syrup from the dish every 10 to 15 minutes to build a caramelized glaze.
7. Remove from oven when the syrup has thickened and the potatoes are glossy and tender. Serve warm.
Notes
For best results, use firm, evenly shaped sweet potatoes to ensure uniform slicing and even cooking.
Add chopped pecans or walnuts during the last 15 minutes of baking for a crunchy variation.
Top with mini marshmallows during the final 5 minutes of baking and broil until golden for a classic twist.
A splash of orange juice or bourbon in the syrup adds extra depth of flavor.
Dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Yams vs. Sweet Potatoes: A Common Mix-Up
Before we dive into the ingredients, it’s important to clarify a common point of confusion in American kitchens. The terms “yam” and “sweet potato” are often used interchangeably, but they are botanically different. In fact, most of the tubers labeled as “yams” in U.S. grocery stores are actually orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. True yams are native to Africa and Asia, have a rough, bark-like skin, and starchy, less sweet flesh. For this Southern Candied Yams recipe, you will definitely want to use sweet potatoes, specifically the kind with vibrant orange flesh and reddish-brown skin, like a Garnet or Jewel variety. These types are moist and sweet, which makes them perfect for creating that luscious, candied texture. Moreover, sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins and fiber, as noted by health experts at Healthline.
Ingredients for the Perfect Southern Candied Yams Recipe
The magic of this dish comes from a few simple, high-quality ingredients working together in perfect harmony. You likely have most of these in your pantry already. Consequently, it’s an easy dish to prepare, even at the last minute. Here is what you will need:
- Sweet Potatoes: About 3 to 4 pounds of fresh, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. This is the star of the show, so pick firm ones with smooth skin.
- Unsalted Butter: One full stick (1/2 cup) is essential for creating a rich, luscious sauce.
- Brown Sugar: One cup, packed. This provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize.
- Granulated Sugar: A half-cup helps balance the brown sugar and contributes to the perfect syrupy consistency.
- Warm Spices: One teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a half-teaspoon of ground nutmeg are classic choices. You can also add a pinch of allspice or ginger for extra warmth.
- Vanilla Extract: One teaspoon adds a wonderful aromatic depth to the flavor profile.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the other flavors and balance the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Southern Candied Yams
Following these steps carefully will ensure your candied yams turn out perfectly tender and beautifully glazed. The key is to build layers of flavor and to be patient during the baking process. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes
First, thoroughly wash and scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt. Next, peel the potatoes completely and slice them into uniform rounds, about 1/2-inch thick. Maintaining a consistent thickness is crucial because it ensures all the slices cook evenly. If some pieces are too thick and others too thin, you’ll end up with a mix of mushy and undercooked potatoes.
Step 2: Par-Boil the Slices
After slicing, place the sweet potato rounds into a large pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let them simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You want them to be just fork-tender, meaning a fork can pierce them with slight resistance. Be very careful not to overcook them at this stage, or they will fall apart during baking. Finally, drain the potatoes well and set them aside.
Step 3: Create the Candied Syrup
While the potatoes are boiling, you can begin making the sweet, buttery syrup. In a medium saucepan, melt the stick of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Stir the mixture continuously until the sugars have completely dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Lastly, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, arrange the par-boiled sweet potato slices in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish. It’s okay if they overlap slightly. Pour the prepared syrup evenly over all of the sweet potato slices, making sure each piece is well-coated.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The real secret to an amazing glaze happens here. Every 10 to 15 minutes, you should carefully remove the dish from the oven and baste the potatoes with the syrup from the bottom of the dish. This process helps build a thick, beautiful caramelized glaze. The yams are done when the syrup has thickened and the potatoes are glistening.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Southern Candied Yams
While this Southern Candied Yams recipe is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your dish from great to unforgettable. For example, selecting the right potatoes is the first step toward success. Always look for sweet potatoes that are firm to the touch with no soft spots or blemishes. In addition, try to pick potatoes that have a relatively uniform shape to make slicing easier. These small details can make a big difference in the final result.
Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, feel free to get creative. For instance, you could add a half-cup of chopped pecans or walnuts during the last 15 minutes of baking for a delightful crunch. For an even more decadent version, top the dish with mini marshmallows during the final 5 minutes of baking and broil for a minute until they are golden brown and toasty. Another fantastic idea is to add a splash of orange juice or even a little bourbon to the syrup for a brighter, more complex flavor. These yams are incredibly versatile, pairing wonderfully with savory dishes. They are an essential part of our list of the Top 25 Thanksgiving Side Dishes for a reason.
What to Serve with Southern Candied Yams
Southern candied yams are a quintessential holiday side dish, and they pair beautifully with a wide range of main courses. Traditionally, they are served alongside a roasted turkey or a glazed ham. The sweetness of the yams provides a wonderful contrast to the savory flavors of the meat. In addition, they are a fantastic accompaniment to fried chicken or pork chops for a classic Southern Sunday dinner. To round out your meal, consider serving them with other classic sides like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. For a truly cohesive holiday menu, consider pairing them with our delicious Cranberry Apple Stuffing, as the tartness of the cranberries beautifully balances the sweetness of the yams.
Conclusion About Southern Candied Yams
In conclusion, this classic Southern Candied Yams recipe is more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of flavor, family, and tradition. By following these simple steps, you can create a side dish that is tender, sweet, and coated in a perfect buttery glaze. The careful layering of flavors, from the earthy sweet potatoes to the warm spices, results in a truly comforting experience. Ultimately, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will earn a permanent spot in your holiday recipe collection. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this beloved Southern staple with your loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Candied Yams
Can I make candied yams ahead of time?
Yes, you certainly can. To save time, you can assemble the entire dish a day in advance. Simply prepare the potatoes and the syrup, arrange them in the baking dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve, allow the dish to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Can I use canned yams for this recipe?
While you can use canned yams in a pinch, fresh sweet potatoes will yield a much better texture and flavor. Canned yams are often packed in syrup and are already very soft, which means they can easily become mushy when baked. If you must use them, be sure to drain them thoroughly and reduce the amount of sugar in the syrup.
Why is my candied yam syrup watery?
A watery syrup is usually the result of one of two things. First, the sweet potatoes may have released excess water into the dish during baking. Second, the sauce may not have had enough time to reduce and thicken in the oven. To fix this, you can carefully pour the syrup into a saucepan and simmer it on the stove for a few minutes until it thickens before pouring it back over the potatoes.
